Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) is back for another year of action. Week 6 has the customary five-pack of fights we’ve come to know and love. All of the action is available on ESPN+, but you keep your eyes peeled right here for all of the Contender Series results as they happen.
Cody Chovancek vs Raphael Uchegbu
Round 1 – Uchegbu comes forward with the pressure right away and lands with a right. He then shoots in on the legs and while he can’t get it down, he does manage to land a knee to the midsection of Chovancek. The Canadian throws a kick and Uchegbu catches it and tries to turn that into a takedown. However, Chovancek lands an elbow to the side of his head and stuns him with it. Uchegbu falls to his back and establishes a guard. Uchegbu finds his wits and then starts getting active off his back. Chovancek uses that to pass the guard and work to half. With just under a minute Chovancek starts landing some serious ground and pound. They end on the mat and the round should go to Chovancek. Chovancek 10-9
Round 2 – Uchegbu, now back He grabs thon the feet, comes back out comfortable with the hands. He lands a few before Chovancek starts letting go as well. Chovancek lands a big overhand and Uchegbu answers back. They slug for a bit and Chovancek hits a spinning backfist that glances off the Brittish fighter. He continues to get wild and it gets him out of position and Uchegbu takes advantage. He takes the back and drags Chovancek to the mat. He rotates between big positions, including some back mount, but doesn’t really threaten. Uchegbu falls off the top and winds up underneath Chovancek, who moves quickly to mount. He ends the round there and that likely steals it for him. Chovancek 10-9
Round 3 – Uchegbu moves forward quick to start the round, knowing he needs a stoppage. Instead it’s Chovancek landing a big overhand right that wobbles Uchegbu. He falls and Herb Dean calls a stop to it right there.
Official Result: Cody Chovancek def. Raphael Uchegbu by TKO (Punches) – Round 3 (0:10)
In Soo Hwang vs Paddy McCorry
Round 1 – The two feel each pther out a big as Hwang stalks McCorry. The kicks from McCorry find a home as down a big counter that clips Hwang. More kicks from McCorry and Hwang tries to make up the big reach discrepancy again. He pays with another counter from McCorry. Hwang clearly looking for some counters, but not getting any openings. Not a ton of significant action, but McCorry’s volume should be more than enough. McCorry 10-9
Round 2 – The kicks and length of McCorry are again the story early. Hwang continues to back McCorry up, but isn’t willing to let go enough. McCorry continues to counter and circle. On one of the exchanges, McCorry grabs a clinch and lands some shots from close range while wearing on Hwang. Rinse and repeat on the situtation – McCorry lands a nice check right hook in one and a straight left in another. Another tie up and McCorry lands a spinning elbow on the exit. He lands a couple more shots towards the end of the round and it should be enough for another round. McCorry 10-9
Round 3 – A nice early left hand is good for the Irishman, as are a couple more kicks. Hwang seems to be stuck in neutral – pressuring, but not with any real output. McCorry lands another left hand. With about three minutes left, Hwang starts to swing a bit more, but it only gets him tagged more from McCorry. Hwang finally gets a moment where he lands and has a follow up shot lined up, but he doesn’t let go and McCorry circles. He then shoots a double and lands easily. Hwang works back to the feet, and gets a separation from the ref. However, he gets doubled up in significant strikes for the third straight round and likely drops this one. McCorry 10-9
Official Result: Paddy McCorry def. In Soo Hwang by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tommy Gantt vs Adam Livingston
Round 1 – Gantt immedately in on a body lock, but Livingston gets an underhook and denies him. They tussle in the clinch, and Livingston grabs the padding in the corner to prevent a takedown. They reverse position a few times and Livingston grabs the cage to prevent another one. This time Herb Dean suggests he’s taking a point, but isn’t clear. Livingston works back up and eats an elbow before being dumped again. Livingston works to his knees and Gantt grabs the neck. It doesn’t take long and it’s over.
Official Result: Tommy Gant def. Adam Livingston by Submission (Guillotine) – Round 1 (2:47)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Mahamed Aly
Round 1 – A low kick from Aly takes Baraniewski off his feet. Baraniewski gets back to his feet and throws an overhand right. That’s all she wrote right there!
Official Result: Iwo Baraniewski def. Mahamed Aly by KO (Punch) – Round 1 (0:20)
Hecher Sosa vs Macksom Lee
Round 1 – Sosa quickly closes the distance and smacks Lee with a big right. He then grabs a body lock and gets Lee to the mat. He goes right to side control and lands some ground and pound. He works back to his feet, but eats plenty of shots for his troubles. Sosa tosses him again and nearly takes the back. Lee back up again, but stuck against the cage. With two minutes left, they go back to distance and Sosa shoots in. This time Lee grabs a guillotine and Sosa does what he can to tripiod. He’s working the ribs to try to get out. Sosa drops enough pressure on the neck to get Lee to let go. He moves quickly to half guard and drops more bombs. A solid first round ends for Sosa on top. Sosa 10-9
Round 2 – They play a bit more at range to start this round, then Sosa gets back to the clinch. Lee separates and tries to turn and run, but eats some punches for his decision. Back into the clinch, Sosa returns him to the mat, but Lee is quick up. He eats a knee in the front headlock this time. Sosa landing the overhands here as Lee looks for some knees. Sosa is seeing a lot less success in the clinch, but is still getting the better of the striking. Lee gets a brief trip that nearly sees him get another guillotine, but Sosa is wise to it. More hands from Sosa down the stretch as Lee starts to fade. Lee throws a desperation spinning back kick at the bell, but he’s down two now. Sosa 10-9
Round 3 – An early double from Sosa gets Lee down. He’s right back up though and it’s not long before Sosa gets him down again. This time it’s a trip and that helps him move right to half guard with leg control and keeps Lee down. He then gets the back and gets close on a pair of rear naked chokes. Both get Lee to wince, but ultimately aren’t in. He’s landing shots from the back mount as well to keep Lee on his toes. Lee works to his back and then tries to spin, but the control of Sosa brings him to the back of Sosa again. With 30 seconds left, he almost sinks in another. He ends on the back and should be getting the win. Sosa 10-8
Official Result: Hecher Sosa def. Macksom Lee by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
DWCS Contract Winners:
- Cody Chovancek
- Tommy Gantt
- Iwo Baraniewski
- Hecher Sosa
And for more Dana White’s Contender Series coverage, check out all of the work here on Cageside Press. We have interviews with the fighters as well as analysis of those getting a chance on Tuesday.
